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    Best CV Formats for 2025

    Chronological, Functional, or Hybrid? Choose the right structure to beat the ATS and impress recruiters.

    Reverse Chronological

    Best for: Professionals with steady career growth and no gaps.

    The most common format. Lists your work experience starting from the most recent job. ATS-friendly and preferred by recruiters.

    Pros

    • Easy to read
    • Highlights career progression
    • ATS compliant

    Cons

    • Reveals employment gaps
    • Not ideal for career changers

    Functional (Skill-Based)

    Best for: Career changers, freshers, or those with employment gaps.

    Focuses on your skills and abilities rather than your work history. Groups achievements under skill headings.

    Pros

    • Hides career gaps
    • Highlights transferable skills
    • Good for freelancers

    Cons

    • Not always ATS friendly
    • Recruiters may be suspicious of hidden dates

    Combination (Hybrid)

    Best for: Senior professionals with diverse skills and solid history.

    Blends the best of both worlds. Starts with a skills summary followed by a reverse-chronological work history.

    Pros

    • Showcases both skills and experience
    • Flexible structure
    • Great for diverse roles

    Cons

    • Can be lengthy
    • Harder to format

    ATS Compatibility Checklist

    • Use standard section headings (Experience, Education, Skills).
    • Avoid tables, columns, and graphics (they confuse parsers).
    • Use standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica.
    • Save as .docx or PDF (unless specified otherwise).

    Quick Tips

    • Keep it under 2 pages.
    • Tailor keywords to the job description.
    • Use PDF to preserve formatting.

    Related Resources

    • Resume Format for Freshers
    • Cover Letter Guide

    Related Articles

    How to Write a Resume Summary Statement

    Examples of powerful summary statements for different experience levels.

    Top 10 Resume Mistakes to Avoid

    Common errors that get your resume rejected by recruiters.

    Functional Resume Guide for Career Changers

    How to highlight skills over experience gaps effectively.